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U.S. President Barack Obama addressing the Iranian people in videotaped speech released on Friday.
 Reuters
Last update - 13:35 21/03/2009
Iran rejects Obama offer for 'new beginning'
By News Agencies
Tags: U.S., Obama, Iran 

Iran's supreme leader said on Saturday he saw no change in U.S. policy toward the Islamic Republic, a day after U.S. President Barack Obama issued an unprecedented videotaped appeal to the country.

Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei sharply criticized U.S. behavior toward Iran since its 1979 Islamic revolution and said the United States was "hated in the world" and should stop interfering in other countries' internal affairs.

"They give the slogan of change but in practice no change is seen.... We haven't seen any change," Khamenei said in a televised speech to mark the Iranian New Year.
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He was speaking in the northeastern city of Mashhad, a day after Obama offered Iran a "new beginning" of diplomatic engagement between the two old foes.

Khamenei said a change of U.S. "words" was not enough and added: "We will watch and we will judge [the new U.S. administration].... You change, our behavior will change."

The cleric, in line with Iran's constitution, has the final say on all state affairs.

Obama on Friday issued a videotaped appeal to Iran offering a "new beginning" of diplomatic engagement to turn the page on decades of U.S. policy toward America's longtime foe.





"My administration is now committed to diplomacy that addresses the full range of issues before us, and to pursuing constructive ties," Obama said in a message released to select Middle East broadcast outlets timed for an Iranian holiday celebration.

Obama went further than he has since taking office on Jan. 20 in extending an olive branch to Tehran, which has been locked in bitter disputes with Washington over Iranian nuclear ambitions and support for militant Islamic groups.

The New York Times reported on Friday that among other measures being weighed are a direct communication from Obama to Khamenei, and an end to a ban on direct contact between junior American diplomats and their Iranian counterparts around the world.

In an unusually swift reaction to Obama's overture, a senior official said Iran welcomed "the interest of the American government to settle differences."

But Aliakbar Javanfekr, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's press adviser, said the Obama administration "should realize its previous mistakes and make an effort to amend them."

"By fundamentally changing its behavior America can offer us a friendly hand," he told Reuters. "Unlimited sanctions which still continue and have been renewed by the United States are wrong and need to be reviewed," he said.

Javanfekr singled out U.S. backing for Israel, Iran's main enemy in the region, saying that: "Supporting Israel is not a friendly gesture."

Javanfekr stressed that minor changes will not end the differences between Iran and the U.S, telling the Iranian state-run English-language Press TV satellite station that Iran will never forget U.S. meddling in Tehran's affairs.

The two countries broke off relations after the 1979 Islamic revolution.

The Obama administration - in a major shift from former President George W. Bush's isolation policy towards Iran, which he once branded part of an "axis of evil" - has expressed an openness to face-to-face diplomatic contacts with Tehran.

Reaching out directly to Iranian leaders and their people, Obama said: "This process will not be advanced by threats. We seek instead engagement that is honest and grounded in mutual respect."

He said the U.S. wanted Iran to take its "rightful place in the community of nations," but also insisted that Tehran do its part to achieve reconciliation.

"You have that right - but it comes with real responsibilities, and that place cannot be reached through terror or arms, but rather through peaceful actions that demonstrate the true greatness of the Iranian people and civilization," Obama said.

"The measure of that greatness is not the capacity to destroy, it is your demonstrated ability to build and create," he added, alluding to Iran's contested nuclear program and its missile development efforts.

To stress the seriousness of Obama's overture, the White House distributed the videotape with Farsi subtitles and posted it on its website to coincide with Iranian observance of the ancient festival of Nowruz, celebrating the arrival of spring.

"I would like to speak directly to the people and leaders of the Islamic Republic of Iran," Obama said in a conciliatory tone that contrasted sharply with Bush's hardline approach. "We seek the promise of a new beginning."

Obama's willingness to talk to U.S. enemies like Iran has been welcomed internationally as a departure from what many saw as Bush's go-it-alone "cowboy diplomacy" epitomized by the 2003 U.S.-led invasion of Iraq.

Though Obama stopped short of specific offers, he said he was seeking "a future with renewed exchanges among our people and greater opportunities for partnership and commerce."

However, he acknowledged, "This won't be reached easily."

European Union foreign policy chief Javier Solana said on Friday he hoped Iran would pay close attention to Obama's appeal.

"I hope that that will open a new chapter in relations with Iran," he told reporters before heading into an EU summit, noting that the West still had to tackle a dispute with Tehran over its nuclear program.

The U.S. is at loggerheads with Iran over its nuclear aspirations, which Washington says are aimed at building atomic weapons, while Tehran insists it is for the peaceful generation of electricity.

In what was seen as an initial overture, the Obama administration said recently it would invite Tehran to an international conference on Afghanistan later this month. Iran has said it would consider the invitation.

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      1.   Courage 06:38  |  Observer 20/03/09
      2.   Patronising speech 06:54  |  Peter Williams 20/03/09
      3.   Congratulations, President Obama 07:10  |  Dave 20/03/09
      4.   OBAMA RULES 07:23  |  Arab 20/03/09
      5.   Scared Israel? 07:36  |  Alan 20/03/09
      6.   #1: Alan 07:56  |  Kareen 20/03/09
      7.   Springtime endeavors of the diplomatic kind 07:58  |  allang 20/03/09
      8.   Obama rocks 08:14  |  Iranian 20/03/09
      9.   Alan is wrong 09:02  |  Mike 20/03/09
      10.   Springtime endeavors of the diplomatic kind 09:24  |  allang 20/03/09
      11.   #1 You asked. - I answer: "NO" 09:49  |  Vittorio 20/03/09
      12.   Springtime endeavors of the diplomatic kind 10:15  |  allang 20/03/09
      13.   Obamas new aproach towards Iran 10:19  |  Swissgirl 20/03/09
      14.   #1 why scared? 10:27  |  Bob 20/03/09
      15.   THIS MAN IS GOOD 10:36  |  indrajaya 20/03/09
      16.   here is the video too. 10:41  |  Bob 20/03/09
      17.   new beginnings 10:52  |  Elina 20/03/09
      18.   Allan #1 Why swhould Israel be scared? 10:53  |  S 20/03/09
      19.   DURING THE LAST 8 YEARS 12:16  |  indrajaya 20/03/09
      20.   Soul Searching... 12:18  |  Ruben 20/03/09
      21.   Happy Nowruz! 12:19  |  Baruch Gold 20/03/09
      22.   to number 6 12:21  |  Proud Muslim 20/03/09
      23.   to S 12:39  |  Haris 20/03/09
      24.   commendable approach 12:47  |  robert 20/03/09
      25.   Thank Goodness 13:00  |  Andrew 20/03/09
      26.   Wrong road 13:01  |  Brod 20/03/09
      27.   BHO soliloquy even better than my "peace in our time" in 1939! 14:13  |  Neville Chamberlain 20/03/09
      28.   Talk with Iran ahs produced an accelerated arms program and the 14:15  |  r 20/03/09
      29.   Do you have Iranians in Switzerland? 14:19  |  Akram 20/03/09
      30.   I guess Gabi Ashkenazi`s sojourn to DC didn`t work out so well. 14:22  |  Erastus CoupeDeVille 20/03/09
      31.   # 7, NEVILLE CHAMBERLAIN 14:30  |  indrajaya 20/03/09
      32.   Waste of more time 14:30  |  bob jones 20/03/09
      33.   #1 Alan, #6 S 14:30  |  Elina 20/03/09
      34.   NOTHING PROBLEM WITH IRAN, OBAMA JUST TRYING TO PUT THE BALL ON 14:39  |  OUT OF IRAQ FIRST! 20/03/09
      35.   Obama is so naiive 14:50  |  sapphire 20/03/09
      36.   Iran`s worst fear 14:53  |  Henk R, 20/03/09
      37.   A New Beginning 14:54  |  Cool B 20/03/09
      38.   #7neville,allong gets it-offer peace, before war 15:08  |  Susanna/shoshana 20/03/09
      39.   All I can see is an extended hand met with unusual rudeness. 15:10  |  S 20/03/09
      40.   #1 I agree with you, but.......... 15:10  |  John Allen 20/03/09
      41.   Obama, Obama, watch this 15:10  |  Dav 20/03/09
      42.   35 Elina, 15:17  |  John Allen 20/03/09
      43.   What message from Israel? 15:47  |  MA 20/03/09
      44.   Obama and Iran 16:02  |  Mordechai 20/03/09
      45.   Congratulations to Mr. Obama. 17:29  |  moonkoon 20/03/09
      46.   Iran has little choice now.... BRILLIANT 17:56  |  Iranina-American 20/03/09
      47.   O`bama - his mother was Irish 18:54  |  Anonymous 20/03/09
      48.   IN ESSENCE 18:55  |  Cipora Julianna Kohn 20/03/09
      49.   HIS APPROVAL RATING IS 72% 19:12  |  indrajaya 20/03/09
      50.   #10 Why are you so full of hate??? 20:14  |  Sam 20/03/09
      51.   Obama offers Iran new beginning in diplomacy 20:40  |  lynne 20/03/09
      52.   A Great Speech 21:17  |  American 20/03/09
      53.   #27 Neville Chamberlain is having a groundhog day 01:54  |  Roo 21/03/09
      54.   Judge a man by action not words 02:16  |  John 21/03/09
      55.   #8 it`s too bad the iranian people can do nothing about their 03:09  |  glenna 21/03/09
      56.   America! 03:18  |  rigma 21/03/09
      57.   obama naive 04:08  |  john 21/03/09
      58.   #50 Sam 04:12  |  Dave 21/03/09
      59.   Does Obama Or Clinton Play Chess? 04:12  |  Jeff Northridge 21/03/09
      60.   This is good news for Israel 04:53  |  The Prophet 21/03/09
      61.   John 05:18  |  Connie 21/03/09
      62.   Sure, nothing like reaching out 05:31  |  Lynn 21/03/09
      63.   # 13 Swissgirl...while measuring all with the same rights 05:36  |  Lynn 21/03/09
      64.   Obama so far seems, the World is too big for him ! 09:46  |  Akram Zekaria 21/03/09
      65.   Finally!!! Great job! 09:58  |  ChrisBerlin 21/03/09
      66.   Plain chutzpa...!! 11:09  |  Esther 21/03/09
      67.   Bold step but will Iran heed? 11:15  |  Joseph Okemefula 21/03/09
      68.   Khamenei is right 11:20  |  Clickfool 21/03/09
      69.   ISRAEL/IRAN rapprochement 2nd atmt 12:03  |  The Teacher/Instruct 21/03/09
      70.   Talk 12:29  |  John 21/03/09
      71.   No excuses if the story is accurate. 12:42  |  a wandering Jew 21/03/09
      72.   to The Prophet 13:54  |  chiara 21/03/09
      73.   Clickfool 14:06  |  Nano 21/03/09
      74.   The Iranians will find any excuse to avoid US overtures 14:14  |  Henk R, 21/03/09
      75.   Now the games begin 14:19  |  Peter Williams 21/03/09
      76.   Rejection? 14:30  |  Dispel Inaccuracies 21/03/09
      77.   No Rejection, but a lets dance 14:55  |  Ra`ad 21/03/09
      78.   OBAMA WAKE UP FROM YOUR SLUMBER 14:56  |  Dale 21/03/09
      79.   the only thing Iran needs is a modern, enlightend , government. 15:35  |  Steve 21/03/09
      80.   actions must follow the gesture... 15:39  |  Joe 21/03/09
      81.   trailing to shine future 15:47  |  saif m. karar 21/03/09
      82.   Iran mullahs spit in America`s face 15:59  |  Realist 21/03/09
      83.   Why assume that Obama wants a deal? 15:59  |  a wandering Jew 21/03/09
      84.   Lynn, all bitter and twisted #62/63 16:01  |  Roo 21/03/09
      85.   sapphire #35 speaking about being naive,do you really think 16:10  |  i don`t think so 21/03/09
      86.   I always said diplomacy will never work with Iran 16:12  |  An American 21/03/09
      87.   cool B #37,what "new beginning",obama has made overtures towards 16:16  |  LOL,"new beginning" 21/03/09
      88.   if telling the truth about irans involvement in sponsoring 16:20  |  Persian Kitty 21/03/09
      89.   INDRAJAYA-THIS MAN IS GOOD 16:22  |  gaoni 21/03/09
      90.   The President looks weak 16:23  |  Observer 21/03/09
      91.   No body has rejected anything 16:25  |  ManintheMiddle 21/03/09
      92.   Indrajaya,read the article,Iran REJECTS Obamas offer for a new 16:28  |  Dino {Swiss} 21/03/09
      93.   Ahmedinejad & Co are gangsters who betrayed Iran. Sure that gang 16:35  |  Vittorio 21/03/09
      94.   # 67 Joseph....he will be 16:38  |  Lynn 21/03/09
      95.   #59 Northridge...the pawn is Israel. 16:41  |  Lynn 21/03/09
      96.   Talking one way, acting another 19:48  |  Mark Lincoln 21/03/09
      97.   Obama/ Iran 20:00  |  Morteza 21/03/09
      98.   Yep Joseph #67 pay heed to 20:12  |  Roo 21/03/09
      99.   Obama`s Vidiotaped Appeal To Iranian People 20:15  |  lara crete 21/03/09
      100.   Just a remark 20:19  |  David 21/03/09
      101.   #42 John Allen 20:38  |  Elina 21/03/09
      102.   Tactical Mistake 20:45  |  BazMann 21/03/09
      103.   #83 a wandering Jew 20:50  |  Maureen 21/03/09
      104.   Obama, Iran and Creative video 21:03  |  Ruben 21/03/09
      105.   #59, Jeff Northridge 21:08  |  Cipora Julianna Kohn 21/03/09
      106.   Yep Joseph #67 pay heed to 21:09  |  Roo 21/03/09
      107.   Obama gave something for nothing 21:13  |  Cipora Julianna Kohn 21/03/09
      108.   #95, Lynn 21:17  |  Cipora Julianna Kohn 21/03/09
      109.   #96, Mark Lincoln 21:23  |  Cipora Julianna Kohn 21/03/09
      110.   To Mark Lincoln (# 96). Eyes wide shut. 21:27  |  flyingdoc57 21/03/09
      111.   Mr.Obama and the Middle East. 21:41  |  Stephen. 21/03/09
      112.   #.92. Dino. 21:53  |  Stephen. 21/03/09
      113.   #.97. Morteza, from Tehran. 22:10  |  Stephen. 21/03/09
      114.   #101 Cipora I do not agree 22:36  |  Baruch Gold 21/03/09
      115.   US/israel war against iran in the next 2-3 years 22:50  |  walid 21/03/09
      116.   keep begging obama,maybe by some chance the dictators will open 23:04  |  glenna 21/03/09
      117.   now that`s better! 23:06  |  tad chase 21/03/09
      118.   To Cipora (# 101). "Obama gave something for nothing"... 23:08  |  flyingdoc57 21/03/09
      119.   Cipora #101 23:14  |  Esther 21/03/09
      120.   #.96. Mark Lincoln. The SAS Motto..... 23:21  |  Stephen. 21/03/09
      121.   # 91 Maninthemiddle....Obama just tightened 23:42  |  Lynn 21/03/09
      122.   # 84 Roo...he who laughs last, laughs best 23:44  |  Lynn 21/03/09
      123.   101~Cipora . Obama get less than nothing. 23:59  |  Akram Zekaria 21/03/09
      124.   what rejection? 00:12  |  Bob 22/03/09
      125.   New beginning 00:41  |  Nina 22/03/09
      126.   Obama and Sharon 01:14  |  Danii 22/03/09
      127.   This talkback is hard to follow... 01:18  |  Jasper 22/03/09
      128.   Mark Lincoln 02:17  |  TonyL 22/03/09
      129.   Cipora 02:56  |  arik 22/03/09
      130.   Cipora & friends P1 03:12  |  TonyL 22/03/09
      131.   Obama still wins 03:29  |  David 22/03/09
      132.   When they say "Peace and Safety" 03:49  |  Derek 22/03/09
      133.   Obama, what is next. 04:13  |  Middle East Guru 22/03/09
      134.   To Karen 04:52  |  Middle Easy Guru 22/03/09
      135.   180~ TonyL `Nothing was changed` ! 05:22  |  Akram Zekaria 22/03/09
      136.   Iran Rejects Obama 05:34  |  Dave 22/03/09
      137.   106~ TonyL "Iran is asking for actions which match the words" 05:55  |  Akram Zekaria 22/03/09
      138.   Akram Zekaria 06:27  |  TonyL 22/03/09
      139.   Obama`s Nixonian Opening to Iran 07:26  |  Mark of Lewiston 22/03/09
      140.   the ongoing debate (arik, akram, tony) 07:36  |  Cipora Julianna Kohn 22/03/09
      141.   #106, Tony L 07:44  |  Cipora Julianna Kohn 22/03/09
      142.   seems its you guys who have become chamberlin 08:44  |  spewie 22/03/09
      143.   #117, Mark of Lewiston 09:52  |  Cipora Julianna Kohn 22/03/09
      144.   Obama is as bright as a brick 06:24  |  Raymond M. Eades 29/03/09
      145.   to 132 06:34  |  Raymond M. Eades 29/03/09
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